Vico Magistretti

Vico Magistretti (1920 – 2006) was a highly influential Italian designer and architect, known for his innovative and progressive designs. He was born in Milan, Italy and was the son of an architect, which influenced his career path. During World War II, to avoid deportation to Germany, Magistretti moved to Switzerland, where he continued his studies and met Ernesto Nathan Rogers, a significant influence on his work.

After the war, Magistretti graduated from the Politecnico di Milano in 1945 and began working at his father's firm. His early work included urban design projects in Milan, but he soon transitioned to designing mass-produced furniture and lighting. Magistretti collaborated with several prominent companies, including Artemide, Cassina, De Padova, Flou, Fritz Hansen, Kartell, and Schiffini. His designs won numerous awards, including the Compasso d'Oro and the Gold Medal of the Chartered Society of Industrial Artists & Designers.

One of Magistretti's first significant projects was the round church in the experimental Milan neighborhood of QT8. This project showcased his ability to blend poetic and functional elements in his designs. His first major success in furniture design came with the Carimate chair, produced by Cassina, which became a bestseller and mixed rural simplicity with urban sophistication.

Throughout his career, Magistretti's work was characterized by its simplicity and elegance. He believed that simplicity was the most complicated thing in the world and strived to create designs that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing. His contributions to architecture and design have left a lasting impact on the industry, and his works are considered milestones of Italian design.

Today, Magistretti's legacy continues to inspire designers and architects worldwide, and his innovative approach to design remains highly relevant.

Sources:
Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vico_Magistretti)
Domus (www.domusweb.it/en/biographies/vico-magistretti)